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CBHS OSHC Exit From New Sales: How Existing Members Should Plan Their Next Cover

CBHS stopped selling new OSHC policies. If you are an existing CBHS member in Australia, here is what happens to your cover, how to plan your next policy, and what to check before switching.

Short Answer

CBHS International Health has stopped selling new OSHC and OVHC policies. If you are a current CBHS OSHC member in Australia, your existing cover remains active and will be serviced until its expiry date — but it cannot be renewed with CBHS beyond that point. In 2026, CBHS began transferring its OSHC membership book to nib, and many former CBHS members are now nib OSHC policyholders. If your cover has not yet expired or been transferred, you must arrange a new policy with one of the five remaining OSHC providers (ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, or nib) before your CBHS cover ends. This guide explains what to do now, what happens during the transition, and how to choose and switch to a new provider without breaking your visa cover.

What Happened: CBHS Exit Timeline

CBHS International Health is a not-for-profit health fund that previously offered OSHC and OVHC policies to international students and visitors. In early 2026, CBHS announced it would no longer sell new OSHC or OVHC policies. The fund continues to exist as a registered health insurer, but its international health product lines are winding down.

Key points for existing CBHS OSHC members in Australia:

1. Your current cover is still valid. If you hold an active CBHS OSHC policy, it remains in force and you can continue using it for GP visits, hospital treatment, and pharmacy claims until the policy’s expiry date. CBHS continues to process claims and service existing members.

2. You cannot renew with CBHS. When your current CBHS policy expires, you must purchase a new OSHC policy from a different provider. CBHS will not offer renewal.

3. Policy transfers to nib. Throughout 2026, CBHS has been transferring active OSHC policies to nib. If your policy was transferred, you should have received a new nib membership card and welcome pack. Your waiting periods, expiry date, and prepaid premiums carried over. The transfer was automatic — you did not need to take any action.

4. If you have not been contacted about a transfer, and your CBHS policy is still approaching expiry, contact CBHS directly to confirm your status and timeline. Do not assume a transfer will happen before your expiry date.

If Your Cover Has Already Been Transferred to nib

If your CBHS OSHC was transferred to nib, here is what changed and what stayed the same:

What stayed the same:

• Your policy expiry date
• Waiting periods already served (including pre-existing condition waiting periods)
• Prepaid premiums — unused CBHS premiums were credited to your nib policy

What changed:

• Your membership number and card
• The claims process — you now use the nib App, not CBHS channels
• The direct-billing network — nib’s First Choice network replaces CBHS’s previous provider arrangements
• Pharmacy benefit structure — nib’s standard OSHC terms apply, which may differ from what CBHS offered
• Any extras benefits you held with CBHS did not automatically transfer to nib’s standard OSHC

What to do now:

1. Download the nib App and register with your new nib membership number.
2. Check your cover details under “My Cover” to confirm what is included.
3. Use the “Find a Provider” tool to locate First Choice direct-billing clinics near you.
4. If you previously used CBHS extras (dental, optical, physiotherapy), check whether your nib policy includes these. If not, you may need to upgrade to nib’s enhanced tier or purchase a separate extras policy.
5. If anything is unclear, call nib’s dedicated OSHC line and quote your old CBHS member number for reference.

If Your CBHS Cover Is Still Active and Approaching Expiry

If your CBHS policy has not been transferred and is approaching its end date, plan your next steps now:

Step 1: Confirm Your Expiry Date

Check your CBHS policy certificate or member portal for the exact expiry date. You need a new policy to start on or before this date — overlapping by at least one day is safer than leaving a gap.

Step 2: Choose a New OSHC Provider

With CBHS no longer an option, you are choosing from five providers: ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, and nib. Every valid OSHC policy from these providers meets the Department of Home Affairs minimum requirements for student visa subclass 500. Your decision should be based on practical factors relevant to your situation in Australia:

• Which provider does your campus medical centre bulk-bill? If your university health service only direct-bills one provider, that fact alone can outweigh other considerations because it means no upfront GP fees.
• Do you need extras cover? If you want dental, optical, or physiotherapy, Bupa is the only provider with an integrated extras add-on. Medibank and nib offer enhanced tiers with some allied health benefits.
• Do you take regular prescription medicines? Annual pharmacy limits vary between providers.
• Do you prefer in-person service? Bupa and Medibank have retail stores in major cities. ahm and nib are digital-only.
• Do you see specialists or expect hospital treatment? Medibank’s Gap Cover scheme can reduce out-of-pocket costs for inpatient hospital services. Bupa’s Members First network is the largest for GP direct billing.

Step 3: Purchase Your New Policy

Buy your new OSHC policy online through your chosen provider’s website. You will need:

• Your passport and visa details
• Your CBHS policy number and expiry date
• Your intended start date (the day before your CBHS expiry, to overlap)

Most providers issue an OSHC certificate instantly by email. Save this certificate — you will need it for your records and may need to upload it to your university’s student portal.

Step 4: Maintain Continuous Cover

Do not cancel your CBHS policy before your new policy is active. If there is any delay with your new policy, your CBHS cover remains in place until its natural expiry. Arranging the new policy to start before your CBHS expiry means there is no gap.

If your CBHS policy has already expired and you do not currently hold OSHC, purchase a new policy immediately. Contact your new provider and ask if they can backdate the start date. Most providers can backdate up to seven days. If you have been without cover for longer, explain your situation and seek advice from your university’s international student office.

What to Check in Your New Policy

When moving from CBHS to a new provider, pay attention to these items that may differ from what you were used to:

1. Waiting periods: If you have held continuous OSHC for twelve months or more, provide your CBHS membership certificate to the new provider — they may recognise waiting periods already served, particularly for pre-existing conditions. Get written confirmation of this.

2. Pharmacy benefit: CBHS and your new provider may have different annual pharmacy limits and per-script caps. Check these figures before you fill your next prescription so you know whether you will have out-of-pocket costs.

3. Direct-billing network: The clinics you used under CBHS may not direct-bill your new provider. Use the new provider’s app or website to search for direct-billing options near you before your next GP visit.

4. Extras benefits: If you held CBHS extras cover, it is very unlikely your new provider’s standard OSHC will include equivalent benefits. You may need to purchase an add-on or separate extras policy. Waiting periods for extras typically start from the date you purchase the new cover.

5. Overseas visitor cover (OVHC): If you are transitioning from a student visa to a 485 Temporary Graduate visa or another visa type, you need OVHC, not OSHC. CBHS’s exit from OVHC sales means you cannot stay with them for OVHC either. Plan this transition alongside your OSHC switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My CBHS policy was transferred to nib but I did not receive a new card. What should I do?

Contact nib directly. Call their OSHC member services line and quote your old CBHS membership number. They can confirm whether your transfer was processed, provide your new nib membership number, and issue a new digital or physical card. If the transfer is still in progress, they can give you a timeline.

Q: Will my waiting periods reset when I switch from CBHS to a new provider?

It depends. For general services like GP visits and hospital treatment, there are no waiting periods to reset — these are covered from day one under any OSHC policy. For pre-existing conditions, if you have held continuous OSHC (including your CBHS cover) for twelve months or more, most providers will recognise the waiting period as served. You must provide proof — your CBHS membership certificate showing the policy dates. Contact the new provider to confirm before purchasing. For extras (dental, optical, physio), waiting periods typically start fresh with a new provider.

Q: Can I stay with CBHS if my policy has not expired yet?

Yes. Your current CBHS policy remains active and valid until its stated expiry date. You can continue to use it for all covered services. CBHS will process your claims as normal. You do not need to switch before your expiry date — you only need to arrange a new policy to start when your CBHS cover ends.

Q: What if I am mid-treatment when my CBHS cover expires?

If you are undergoing ongoing treatment — for example, a course of specialist consultations or planned surgery — plan your switch carefully. Contact potential new providers before purchasing and explain your situation. Ask: (a) will the new policy cover the continuation of your current treatment, (b) are there waiting periods that could delay coverage, and (c) does the specialist or hospital you are using accept the new provider’s direct billing. Get confirmation in writing. If you need time to arrange this, do not let your CBHS cover expire — if possible, request an extension or purchase a bridging policy.

Q: I am on a 485 visa and my CBHS OVHC is also affected. What are my options?

CBHS has stopped selling both OSHC and OVHC. You need to purchase OVHC from a provider that offers it: Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, or nib. Not all OVHC policies automatically meet visa condition 8501 for the 485 visa — confirm with the provider that the specific OVHC product is suitable for your visa subclass. Purchase the new OVHC policy before your CBHS cover expires to maintain continuous coverage.

Official Sources

• CBHS International Health — Important Updates — Current sales status and member support information, verified 14 July 2026
• CBHS OSHC Fund Rules — Effective 1 April 2026
• Australian Government PrivateHealth.gov.au — OSHC — Current list of six OSHC providers, verified 14 July 2026
• Department of Home Affairs — Student Visa (Subclass 500) — Condition 8501
• nib — Forms and Brochures — OSHC fund rules and fact sheets, verified 14 July 2026

Data as of 14 July 2026. CBHS’s sales status, transfer arrangements, and provider options may evolve. Always confirm your individual situation with CBHS directly and check the current terms of any new provider before purchasing a policy.

Insurance Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and does not constitute insurance advice, medical advice, legal advice, or visa advice. The description of CBHS’s exit from new OSHC sales and policy transfers is based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Individual member circumstances may differ. CBHS International Health and nib Health Funds Limited are the respective product issuers. This article is an independent editorial resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by CBHS, nib, or any other insurer. Before switching providers or making decisions about your health cover, contact your current insurer to confirm your status, read the Product Disclosure Statement of any new policy, and consult a registered insurance broker or your university’s international student support service.

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